The number of bills reaching the floor established a record for this term, and we ended on March 21 at 8 PM.
March 14 session bills of interest:
HB1204 passed (228-139) protecting citizens with stronger requirements when a government agent may enter a secured premise without a warrant.
HB1305 passed on a bipartisan vote (206-169) regarding freedom of speech at public institutions of higher education. There was an amazing presentation of support and cooperation when the two youngest representatives from both sides of the aisle spoke to support the bill.
HB1311 passed (194-180) requiring school boards to adopt policies for the selection of materials for library media centers. Cyril and I did not vote for this bill, since it does not allow for a policy for the selection or removal process that parents could use.
HB 1312 passed (186-185), expanding parent notification of students’ health and well-being information. HB1512 failed (186-187) limiting education freedom account funding. It is amazing how close the votes are at time which makes it critical that you are in your chair at every vote! Cyril and I have perfect attendance!
HB1594 failed (184-189) requiring annual determination of eligibility for awarding education freedom account funds.
The next group is dear to me since I am on the Election Law Committee. HB1146 passed (189-186), allowing voters to remove themselves from the voter checklist. It was hard to believe that there was no way to do this! HB1369 passed (191-181) requiring the verification of voter roll by the supervisors of the checklist from every 10 years to every 4 years. In 2021, over 220,000 voters were determined ineligible! HB1569 passed (189-185) removing the exception for providing voter identification. This bill removes the voter affidavits as proof of identification as proof of identification and repeals the procedures for affidavit ballots.
March 21 session bills of interest:
HB1336 was pulled from the “table,” this bill would allow employees to keep their weapon in their vehicle while at work. This bill passed 197 – 176.
HB1659 a parenting rights bill dealing with child custody passed 187 – 178.
HB1205 on women’s sports passed 189 – 182. Requires athletics to be biologically based, girls only playing girls sports for grades 5 – 12. Designed coed sports or intramural teams are not impacted by the legislation which is logical.
HB1654 would have been detrimental to all Education Freedom Account (EFA) students, defeated 183 – 191.
HR30 would have taken time from teaching core subjects in favor of teaching climate change was defeated 181 – 191.
HB1098, allowing ballots to be delivered to elder care facilities, was passed 192 – 175.
HB 1149, allowing anyone to vote without proper I.D. and without proof of residency, defeated 184 – 190.
HB1335 removing Columbus Day as a holiday, happily defeated 42 – 331. This was the 7th attempt to remove Columbus!
HB1283 legal assisted suicide passed 179 – 176.
HB1479 would have prohibited the use of federal, state or local funds for lobbying activities and was indefinitely postponed 211 -129.
HB1281, relative to zoning restrictions on residential rental properties, would release hundreds of properties for immediate availability, defeating 17 – 300. This lopsided defeat is based on the legislature’s support for local land rule!
HB1371, which keeps charitable organizations exempt from taxation, passed 306 – 7.
HB1115 passed (194-180), establishing that the termination date on a residential lease applies to both parties. Somehow, the opponents of this bill presented the argument that a lease or contract is more than the words on paper!
Please reach out to Cyril and Clayton at info@ClaytonCyril4House.com if you have any questions.